g her head she
knew that Dr. Bulling was approaching Iola from the other side. She
put her hand on Barney's arm. "Mr. Boyle, please take Miss Lane to my
carriage there? Bulling," she said, turning sharply upon the doctor,
"will you help Daisy to collect my stuff? I am sure things will be
left on the yacht. There are always some things left. Servants are so
stupid." There was that in her voice that made Bulling stand sharply at
attention and promptly obey. And ere Barney knew, he was leading Iola
and Mrs. Duff Charrington to the waiting carriage.

"So sorry I didn't know you were a friend of Miss Lane's, or we would
have had you on our trip, Mr. Boyle," said Mrs. Duff Charrington as he
closed the carriage door.

"I thank you. But I am very busy, and, besides, I would not fit in with
some of your party." There was war in Barney's tone.

"Good Heavens, young man!" cried Mrs. Duff Charrington, in no way
disturbed, "you don't expect to make the world fit in with you or you
with the world, do you? Life consists in adjusting one's self. But you
will be glad to know that Miss Lane has made us all have a very happy
little holiday."

"Of that I am sure," cried Barney gravely.

"And we gave her, or we tried to give her, a good time."

"It is for that some of us have lived." Barney's deep voice, thrilling
with sad and tender feeling, brought the quick tears to Iola's eyes.
To her, the words had in them the sound of farewell. Even Mrs. Duff
Charrington was touched. She leaned over the carriage door toward him.

"Mr. Boyle, I am taking Miss Lane home to dinner. Come with us."

Barney felt the kindly tone. "Thank you, Mrs. Charrington, it would give
none of us pleasure, and I have much to do. I am leaving to-morrow for
Baltimore."

Iola could not check a quick gasp. Mrs. Duff Charrington glanced at her
white face.

"Young man," she said sternly, leaning out toward him and looking Barney
in the eyes, "don't be a fool. The man that would, from pique, willingly
hurt a friend is a mean and cruel coward."

"Mrs. Charrington," replied Barney in a steady voice, "I have just come
from an operation by which a little girl, an only child, has lost her
arm. It was the mother that desired it, not from cruelty, but from love.
It is because it is best, that I go to-morrow. Good-bye." Then turning
to Iola he said, "I shall see you to-night." He lifted his hat and
turned away.

"Drive home, Smith," said Mrs. Charrington sharply; "the ot